Improved mode of keeping gunpowder



UNITED STATES Price.

PATEN IMPROVED'MODE OF KEEPING GUNPOWDER.

Specification formingpart of Letters Patent No. 60,3113, dated October 3, 1865.

" instpre or when being transported from place to place, and then to restore the gunpowder to its original condition. For these purposes gunpowder is mixed with a dry, fine, inexplo- .sive powder, finer thanthe finest parts of the gunpowder.

The mixed or combined mass is thus rendered inexplos-ive, and in this state the mass is stored in casks or other vessels or holders, and so long as the gunpowderremains in combination or admixture with'the dry, inexplosive,-fine powder it will, as a mass, be incapable of explosion.

When the gunpowder is required for use it is separated from the dry, tine powder by sit't-' ing or winnowing. The dry, fine powder thus separated from the gunpowder may be again and again used-for the same purpose. Various dry materials in the state of very fine powder may be thus used, takingcare that it is reduced to a finer state than the grains of. the gunpowder; but it is preferred to employ glasspowder, or ivory or bone black mixed with glass-powder, or,either may be used alone for the purpose when reduced, as nearly as may be, to an impalpable powder; or other dry, fine powder may be used, taking care that it is not capable of readily taking up moisture when exposed to the air. The relativeproportions of the fine, dry powder and of the gunpowder will vary to some extent, depending on the sizes of the grains of the gunpowder. It is, however, found that about three parts, by weight, of the dry, fine powder to one part, by weight, of gunpowder answers well in practice. 1

I would state that I am aware that glasspowder has been used in the manufacture of gunpowder in small quantities, but not in such manner as to prevent its exploding. On the contrary, the compounding of glass with gunpowder has been such as to remain in coinbination when used and exploded.

In carrying out this invention it is important that the powder mixed with the gunpowder should be very dry and of a eharacter'not liable to imbibe or take up moisture, and it is further desirable that such material should be reduced to a very fine powderin order that the grains of gunpowder may, when subjected to the action of a sieve or to winnowing, or to both, be readily separated from the dry and finer powder mixed therewith.

In preparing gunpowder to be stored,about three parts of the dry, line powder, which it is preferred should be very fine powder of glass alone or glass powder mixed with a small quantity of i\-*ory-black--say about one-seventh-- the dry, fine powder is to be intimately mixed with the gunpowder. This mixture is then placed in casks or other vessels or holders, and while so mixed the mass will not explode, and in this condition the gunpowdermay be safely transported from place to place or kept in stores, and when ior use the gunpowder will readily be separated from the dry powder by sieving or winnowing, or by the jointaction oi sieving and winnowing.

What I claim is-- v The combining fine, dry, inexpolsive' powder with gunpowder, and in separating the fine, dry powder from the gunpowder when it is required for use, substantially as herein do, scribed.

JAMES GALE, JR.

Witnesses:

O. F. WARREN, HENRY SOATER, Both of N0. 17 Graoechuroh Street,London. E. 0. 

